Skate park plans shelved for now

BY JOSEPH SERNA

A proposal to put a skate park at either Lions or Fairview parks came to a skidding halt at the Costa Mesa City Council meeting Tuesday.

The council voted 3-2, with Mayor Allan Mansoor and Councilman Eric Bever dissenting, to not proceed with planning and design for a permanent skate park at Lions Park.

Instead, Costa Mesa officials are looking into creating mini skateboarding facilities across multiple parks in the city, excluding Fairview.

A report on possible sites for small skate facilities is due from city staff by January, Councilwoman Katrina Foley said.

“We’re trying to move it (quickly) so it doesn’t disappear again,” she said.

There was almost no support during public comments for putting a skating park at Fairview Park, Councilwoman Wendy Leece said. The council rejected adjusting that passive park’s master plan to allow for a skate park.

“Don’t open the master plan because once you do you’ll have other people coming back for other things also,” Leece said.

Instead, officials are looking into purchasing a parcel of land appropriate for a large, multipurpose skate park somewhere else in the city.

Fairview Park will keep its natural landscape and the Fish Fry will remain at Lions Park.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com .